Aldermen approve honorary street for retired QU soccer coach

Jack Mackenzie retired last year as coach of the QU soccer program after a 43-year run. During his tenure, the Hawks won nine NAIA national championships. His 516 victories ranks him 10th in NCAA history. (H-W File Photo)

Posted: Aug. 27, 2013 9:42 am Updated: Sep. 10, 2013 10:15 am

By MATT HOPFHerald-Whig Staff Writer

The Quincy City Council on Monday night named a section of Seminary Road after legendary Quincy University soccer coach Jack Mackenzie.

The road between 12th and 18th streets will hold the honorary designation of Jack Mackenzie Drive. Addresses on the block will still be Seminary Road.

The resolution to give the street the honorary name was tabled last week to get input from area residents. Alderman Glenda "LeXze" Mann, R-1, who asked that the proposal be tabled, said no opposition came forward.

Paula Wert, a resident on Seminary Road, said Monday afternoon that she looks forward to the honorary designation. She said Mackenzie has been a mentor to her grandson, Koda Marshall, who moved in with her five years ago

"There weren't many kids in my neighborhood at the time, and (Koda) took up a conversation with Jack, and Jack invited him over to help clean up, be a ball boy and to get to know the players," Wert said. "Anything that we can do to honor Coach Mackenzie, we'd be very happy to do, because he has been such a very special part of Koda's life."

Mackenzie retired last year as coach of the QU soccer program after a 43-year run. During his tenure, the Hawks won nine NAIA national championships. His 516 victories ranks him 10th in NCAA history, and he's third on the NCAA Division II wins list. Mackenzie finished his career with a 516-258-76 record.

The honorary street signs will be paid for by donations given to the Quinsippi Soccer League in Mackenzie's name.

In other business Monday, aldermen approved the 2013 capital maintenance program. Diamond Construction Co. submitted the sole bid of $344,344 for 15 street and alley projects.

Interim City Engineer Marty Wagner said Diamond Construction was 7 percent under project estimates, though he said the cost to overlay streets is slightly higher this year because of higher asphalt and concrete prices.

º Agreed to pay Traffic Control Corp. $10,672 and Supreme Electric $1,033 from the traffic signal fund to repair the signal at Fifth and Broadway. The Illinois Department of Transportation will be invoiced to reimburse the city for the repairs.

º Approved the purchase of 10 Tasers from the Ray O'Herron Co. for $11,295.

º Hired Richards Electric Motor Co. for $3,488 to repair the blower motor and fan on the methane flare at Landfill No. 4.

º Approved the purchase of $21,837 in fluids for city vehicle maintenance from Wally Hutter Oil Co.

º Approved the purchase of 100 copperhorns from Waterworks Ltd. for $4,535 for new water service.

º Reappointed Charles Bach, Tony Crane, Dale Koontz, Tony Sparrow Sr., Tom Stupavsky and Monty Stock to the Building Commission, and the appointment of Lynn Snyder to the Preservation Commission.

º Had the first reading of an ordinance to rezone nearly 40 acres of land west of Spring Lake Estates Additions and Eagle Trace Condominiums for single-family residences. Owner Adam Booth also requested that the land be divided in 47 lots for development of a subdivision, which was forwarded to the Plan Commission. Booth previously withdrew his a subdivision plan in 2011 after opposition from area residents.